“It's only when you're flying above it that you realize how incredible the earth really is” ~ Philippe Perrin

1. HELICOPTER NOISE ON THE BIG ISLAND HAS RESIDENTS BUZZING
Protesters decry “dirty tourism” during a demonstration outside the Hilo airport.
“It’s never been this bad,” said a County Council member.
By Alan D. McNarie, Honolulu Civil Beat
http://www.civilbeat.org/2017/09/alan-mcnarie-helicopter-noise-on-the-big-island-has-residents-buzzing/
Big Island Tour Helicopters provide passengers with lifelong aerial snapshots of paradise
Noise abatement is a concern shared by many metropolitan and urban centers
For your consideration,
The approach taken by the City of Cupertino, Santa Clara County, California, pop.
58,302 is shared as an example of positive progressive proactive action taken by residents and
government officials. http://www.cupertino.org/our-city/city-news/aircraft-noise
Big Island, Hawaii pop. 2017 (186,738)
HELICOPTERS UTILIZED BY BIG ISLAND TOUR OPERATORS
• AIRBUS A STAR (AS350)
• AIRBUS EC130
• BELL 407
• EUROCOPTER (Airbus Helicopters) AS350
• EUROCOPTER (Airbus Helicopters) AS355
• HELI-LYNX 350FX [Aftermarket Upgrade of AS350 Helicopter]
• HUGHES MD500D
• HUGHES MD500E
• ROBINSON R66
Please review and evaluate the information contained in the following study,

2. HELICOPTER NOISE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY STATUS REPORT April 21, 2015
Contributors: International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Association
(ICCAIA): Safran Engines (Snecma), Airbus Helicopters, Sikorsky Aircraft, Bell Helicopter,
AgustaWestland, Turbomeca, Marenco Swisshelicopter. Research Centers: National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Washington, D.C., German Aerospace Center
(DLR) Kōlon, Germany, Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aérospatiales (ONERA)
Palaiseau, France, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tokyo, Japan.
Source: https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Documents/Helicopter_Noise_Reduction_Technology_Status_Report_April_2015.pdf
Raising helicopter traffic altitudes and moving flight paths is the traditional, time
tested approach utilized by FAA and other metropolitan and urban center to
address and cope with helicopter noise and overflights.
Source: “Managing Helicopter Noise”. By Patrick R. Veillette. Aviation Week.
March1, 2017, accessed September 28, 2017 http://m.aviationweek.com/bca/managing-
helicopter-noise
The FAA regulates the Maximum Noise Level that an Individual Civil Aircraft can emit
through requiring aircraft to meet certain Noise Certification Standards. These Standards
designate changes in Maximum Noise Level requirements by "STAGE" designation.
For Helicopters, The FAA has Noise Standards for a Stage 3 Helicopter that became
effective on May 5, 2014. These more stringent standards apply to New Type Helicopters and
are consistent with ICAO Annex 16, Volume 1 Chapter 8 And Chapter 11.
Source: FAA. https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/noise_emissions/airport_aircraft_noise_issues/levels/
On May 5, 2014 the FAA issued its final rule on Stage 3 helicopter noise certification
standards for new helicopter type design and the upgrade of Stage 1 and Stage 2 helicopters
when upgrading to Stage 3 via Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). The final rule does not
require existing, noisier Stage 1 and Stage 2 helicopters to meet Stage 3 standards.
Full implementation is still a work in progress.
AN INNOVATIVE WIN-WIN APPROACH
BIG ISLAND HELICOPTER TOUR OPERATORS AND BIG ISLAND RESIDENTS

3. “In 2012, enacted federal legislation directed the FAA and the National Park
Service (NPS) to devise financial incentives for air-tour operators who use quiet
technology helicopters over the Grand Canyon. That incentive took effect on
January 1 this year [2014], and operators of quieter helicopters will see their per-
flight fee over the park reduced to $20 from $25. An NPS spokesman said the
reduced fees will save tour operators $250,000 per year”.
[Clarification Supplied]
Source: “FAA Issues Final Stage 3 Helicopter Noise Rule”. By Mark Huber.
Aviation International News. April 5, 2014, accessed September 28, 2017
<http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2014-04-05/faa-
issues-final-stage-3-helicopter-noise-rule>
See also: “Sound levels of helicopters used for administrative purposes at Grand
Canyon National Park” <https://home.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/upload/GRCA-07-05-
SoundLevels-Helicopters.pdf>
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SPIRIT...ALOHA...WE LOVE YOU!
Image courtesy of Beach Vacations and more